Church of the Home for Saturday, July 29

Celebrating Siblings

Today is the feast day of Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Originally this was the feast day for St. Martha only, but on January 26, 2021, Pope Francis designated this as a celebration of all three siblings.

"In the household of Bethany the Lord Jesus experienced the family spirit and friendship of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, and for this reason the Gospel of John states that he loved them. Martha generously offered him hospitality, Mary listened attentively to his words and Lazarus promptly emerged from the tomb at the command of the One who humiliated death." (Decree on the Celebration of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus in the General Roman Calendar)

Martha, Mary, and Lazarus are not the only examples of siblings in scripture. Within the 12 Apostles, there are two sets of brothers - James & John and Simon Peter & Andrew. Maybe Jesus was teaching us the challenge of discipleship could be made better with a sibling nearby.

The relationship between siblings is unique. There are no legal responsibilities and they are not freely chosen. They often involve those who live vastly different lives in distant places. Yet, for many, our relationships with our sisters and brothers are the longest ones of our lives.

Scripture offers these principles about sibling relationships:

1. We must allow a sibling freedom to develop his or her own traits and abilities and to pursue the unique call of God in life. Martha and Mary were very different in personality; yet each had a unique relationship with the Lord (Luke 10:38–42; John 11:20–44).

2. We are not to criticize our siblings in public, but we are to resolve our differences in the privacy of the family circle. Miriam paid a high price for publicly criticizing her brother’s choice of a wife (Numbers 12:1–15).

3. We are to rejoice without jealousy or ill will when good things happen to our siblings (Luke 15:11–32).

4. We are to do our best always to introduce our brothers and sisters to the Lord and build up their faith, just as Andrew introduced Simon Peter to Jesus (John 1:40–42).

Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

5 Sets of siblings who all became saints

Prayer for my siblings

Dear Lord, I pray for my siblings today.

May You guide them on their journeys,

providing them with Your wisdom and strength.

Protect them from harm, grant them prosperity,

and let them feel Your presence every day.

Allow our bond as siblings to be a reflection of Your unconditional love.

Amen

Silent Auction Website

60th Anniversary Webpage

Join us for Mass this weekend in person at 4:00 PM on Saturday, 8:30 or 10:30 AM on Sunday, on www.gbres.org/live, our YouTube channel, and our Facebook page.

READINGS FOR THIS WEEKEND’S MASSES

Sunday Readings

Scripture Reflection by Roger Vanden Busch

Sunday Connection from Loyola Press

VIRTUALLY SUNDAY REFLECTION

We are presented with numerous choices every day. Some choices are inconsequential but there are choices that need to be made wisely. The greatest and wisest choice we can make is one that brings peace, healing, freedom, and joy. That choice is to follow Jesus. Join Fr Tim as he reflects on this weekend's gospel.